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Florida Sues Internet Furniture Company

Charges consumers received damaged goods or none at all

January 24, 2008

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Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that his office has sued an internet retail furniture company from Broward County, alleging the company misled consumers about its ability to deliver requested merchandise.

Elite Purchasing Group and owner Dean Bardakjy purported to be part of a “vast network of manufacturers” thereby implying a special relationship with manufacturers where none of these relationships existed, to the detriment of the customers.

The Attorney General’s Office received more than 60 complaints about the company in only 18 months, most citing the company’s failure to deliver furniture on a timely basis even though the company advertised shipments within one business day.

Some consumers said they never received their furniture at all.

According to consumer complaints, the company also failed to uphold its promise to replace or repair furniture that was delivered damaged or defective. On one occasion, a consumer paid more than $7,000 for chairs that were delivered in pieces.

The lawsuit alleges the company gave various excuses for delivery failures, including inability to make partial shipments when one item was on backorder or insufficient space on a delivery truck.

According to the Attorney General’s complaint, these delaying tactics often caused the customers to miss the opportunity to cancel their orders and obtain refunds after the 60-day chargeback period had lapsed. Complaints came from consumers in Florida as well as California, Illinois and Pennsylvania.

The lawsuit was filed under Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and seeks restitution for victims as well as penalties for violating the act.

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